May 6, 2012

                        THE ORIGINS OF MUSIC
                                                    Article by:  Evi Martyn


What would this world be without music??  Have you ever thought about it?
Why music is so important in the lives of people, in every culture, every nation, every corner
of the planet?? 
These are questions that often occupy the thoughts of so many of us!!

I will never forget the question that was put to me in one of my concert tours, when after my
performance, as I was receiving people in the artist's room, a lady came up to me with this:

It was in South America, in Buenos Ayres, when this strange lady who had attended my
concert came to greet me and said to me in loud clear voice:
           "  Ms. Martyn, what would this world be without music?? "

It made me think a lot. To us, musicians , music is a way of life, and we never think of the
tremendous impact that it has on others!!!  But the fact is that music , in so many ways ,
touches our soul, our spirit, and inspires us to create , innovate, and even dream, if you will,
and go on in life, it is the spice of life!!!

                                                MUSIC--ETYMOLOGY

The word music comes from the Greek "mousike" . It is ultimately derived from  "mousa"
the Greek word for " Muse".
In ancient Greece the word mousike was used to mean any of the Arts or sciences governed by the Muses.  Later in Rome mousike embrassed poetry as well as instrument oriented Music.
In the European middle ages was part of the mathematical quadrivium, arithmetics, geometry, astronomy, and musica.

                                                DEFINITION OF MUSE

In Greek mythology, poetry and literature Muses are the goddesses that inspire the creation of literature and the Arts. They were considered the source of knowledge, in poetic lyrics and myths. It leterally means " art" or " poetry".  The expression  " to carry a mousa" means
to excell in arts.
The muses are nine and I will give their names for the sake of the readers:
                               1.   Clio 
                               2.   Euterpe
                               3.   Thalia
                               4.   Calliope
                               5.   Polyhymnia
                               6.   Melpomene
                               7.   Erato
                               8.   Urania
                               9.   Terpsichore
From History we learn that there is a tenth Muse , Sappho of Lesbos, who was given the
compliment of being the tenth Muse by the great philosopher PLATO.

                                               ORIGINS  OF  MUSIC   

Music has a long and complex history.  It may predate language ( and certainly predates the written word) and is found in every known culture, past and present, varying wildly between  TIMES and PLACES.   
                         
                                 "  Music History "  is the distinct subfield of musicology and
                                     history which studies the History  of Music Theory."
The origin of Music is a part of human evolutionary history. In some cultures Music tries to
immitate natural sounds.
In some prehistoric cultures the primary function of Music was a defense, help to forget FEAR!, war cries, and military songs are used to raise confidence and to intimidate the
opponents.
Other examples are  Vocal gestural communications between a mother and infants, strengthen the bond between mother and the baby and help the infant to acquire LANGUAGE..

There is a lot to say , Music is a VAST subject, and today we are only discussing the Origins of Music.
To nelp you appreciate the subject I have posted my VIDEO on May 5, 2012 from a recent
lecture where you can see and hear a lot more.

   Click on :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL5bZjhqW74  to view  the lecture.

In a future article I will continue the OLD INSTRUMENTATION,  PERIODS  OF MUSIC
and many more interesting things that make the ART immortal.
                                                       
                                                                                               Evi Martyn
                                                                                               concert pianist,
                                                                                               Hellenic Culture Advocate